Diving in Puerto Plata

When to go to Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata provides an opportunity to dive throughout the year due to the warm weather and even warmer water. The average air temperature is 77-82F/25-28C, while the water usually ranges from 79F/26C to 86F/30C. The best diving season is from June to September. Most of the dive sites have little or no current, so diving can be enjoyed even in the rainy season. Water visibility is around 80-100ft/24-30m, which makes deep-water diving here easier and more popular.

What to see

The abundant marine life includes barracudas, groupers, snappers, tarpons, eels and numerous small exotic fish. The sessile fauna of Puerto Plata includes elephant ear corals of different colors, sponges, purple sea fans and intricate gorgonians.

Scuba diving in Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata is located in the north of the Dominican Republic. The closest international airport is Gregorio Luperon International Airport that is located in 15 km from Puerto Plata. Puerto Plata has a lot to offer divers of all levels. There is a large variety of dive sites with shallow reefs, freshwater diving, shipwreck exploration, caverns and caves. The major highlights of the region are The Wall, which plunges 130ft/40m in depth, the 50ft/15m-long caves and a 148ft/45m-long shipwreck. Some of the most exciting dives in the area are Five Rocks, with its huge underwater rocks crawling with lobsters and crabs, El Dudu cave, Arenaso Reef, with picturesque swim-throughs and corals, Luperón Bay, with its wall and caves, and the Zíngara, a sunken cargo ship. Puerto Plata has many experienced, PADI-certified dive centers that can meet the needs of the very beginner as well as the professional or diving expert. Night dives are offered here and provide an opportunity to observe nocturnal species hunting.